Automatic reading system for record media having encoded data

ABSTRACT

A data processing system for automatically reading characters represented by code indicia in prescribed fields on record media in any of a plurality of different codes. The illustrative system is designed to read any of three different perforated codes, including both legible and illegible codes, as well as three different printed or marked codes, such as the conventional bar code and marked code. The system includes a program panel which is used to select the prescribed fields in four different document formats. Then in response to the selection of a particular document format on the control panel, the reading system is automatically conditioned to read the correct codes in the prescribed fields. As the documents are transported through the reading system, photosensitive reading elements automatically respond to the selected codes in the prescribed fields to produce output signals representing the characters in response to the code indicia representing such characters.

United States Patent [72] Inventors Frederick W. Dilsrier Deerlield; Aaron B. Aronson, Glenview; John E. Jone, Winnetlta, Ill. [2 l] Appl. No. 687,883 [22] Filed Dec. 4, 1967 [45] Patented Jan. 26, 197 l [73] Assignee Cantatas-Chicago Corporation Chicago, III. a corporation of Illinois [54] AUTOMATIC READING SYSTEM FOR RECORD MEDIA HAVING ENCODED DATA 15 Claims, 23 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. CL 35/61.. 235/6112; 250/219 [5 1] Int. CL G01n 21/30, 606k 7/10, 606k 19/00 [50] Field of Sarah 235/61 .l 1, 61.115, 61.12; 250/2l9lD, DC

[56] References Clted UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,275,806 9/1966 Quinn et al. 235/6l.l2

3,277,445 10/1966 Diamantet al.

Primary Examiner-Maynard R. Wilbur Assistant Examiner-Thomas .l. Sloyan Atr9rneyWolfe, Hubbard, Leydig, Voit & Osann ABSTRACT: A data processing system for automatically reading characters represented by code indicia in prescribed fields on record media in any of a plurality of difierent codes. The illustrative system is designed to read any of three different perforated codes, including both legible and illegible codes, as well as three different printed or marked codes, such x the conventional bar code and marked code. The system includes a program panel which is used to select the prescribed fields in four different document formats. Then in response to the selection of a particular document format on the control panel, the reading system is automatically conditioned to read the correct codes in the prescribed fields. As the documents are transported through the reading system, photosensitive reading elements automatically respond to the selected codes .in the prescribed fields to produce output signals representing the characters in response to the code indicia representing such characters.

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, Invenroas AARON B. ARONSON FREDERICK \M'DILsNER JOHN E.Joues by. MM, 944M, 4., AT'tYS.

AUTOMATIC READING SYSTEM FOR RECORD MEDIA HAVING ENCODED DATA The present invention relates generally to data processing systems and, more particularly, to an improved data processing system for reading characters represented by coded indicia on business documents or other record media.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved data processing system which permits characters in practically any desired code to be automatically read in a single pass through a single reading system. A related object of the invention is to provide such a system which permits characters in different perforated, printed and marked codes to be read in different fields on the same document in a single pass through the reading system.

It is another object of this invention to provide an automatic reading system of the foregoing type which can be programmed to read different selected codes in different selected fields in a number of different document formats, and which automatically reads the selected codes in the selected fields in response to the manual selection of a particular document format.

A further object of the invention is to provide such an improved reading system which is capable of automatically reading code indicia in different selected printing lines, as well as in different selected fields along the length of the document.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved reading system of the type described above which is compatible with auxiliary equipment such as automatic feeders, sorters, accumulators, and the like.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide such a data processing system which can be manufactured at a relatively low cost.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. I is an illustration of a typical document having characters represented by indicia thereon in several different codes;

FIG. 2 shows the representation of l2 exemplary characters in a plural line, readable perforated code;

FIG. 3 illustrates the significant locations of indicia stations in one character field for the code illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows the representation of IS exemplary characters in a plural line, readable reverse perforated code;

FIG. 5 illustrates the significant locations of indicia stations in one character field for the code illustrated in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 shows the representation of exemplary characters in an in line perforated code;

FIG. 7 shows the representation of certain exemplary characters in the marked code;

FIG. 8 shows the representation of IO exemplary characters in the bar code;

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic illustration of a document transporting system for use with a photoelectric reading head assembly in an automatic reading system embodying this inven- FIG. 10 is a plan view of an exemplary program panel for use in the reading system of this invention;

FIG. I] is a diagrammatic block and line diagram of the electrical components utilized to read perforated codes in the reading system of the invention;

FIG. 12 is a detailed block diagram of certain of the components shown in FIG. 1];

FIG. 13 is a detailed block diagram of certain other components shown in FIG. 1 1;

FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic block and line diagram of the electrical components utilized to read reflective codes in the reading system of the invention;

FIG. I5 is a detailed block diagram of certain of the components shown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a detailed block diagram of other components shown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 is a chart illustrating the relative locations of the various indicia for the three different types of printed and marked codes to be read in the reading system of the inventron;

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary and partially schematic end elevation of the reading heads associated with the transport drum illustrated in FIG. 9;

FIG. I9 is a front elevation of the face of the reading head for reading perforated codes in the reading system illustrated in FIGS. 9 through l8;

FIG. 20 is an end elevation of the reading head for reading printed and marked codes in the reading system illustrated in FIGS. 9 through 18;

FIG. 21 is a front elevation of the reading head of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a rear elevation of the reading head of FIG. 20; and

FIG. 23 is a vertical section of a document transport drum and associated housing for the reading head of FIG. 19/

While the invention has been shown and will be described in some detail with reference to the particular embodiments thereof, there is no intention that it thus be limited to such detail. On the contrary, it is intended here to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claimsv I. The Record Media And The Data Thereon Referring now to FIG. I, a typical data-bearing document is here illustrated in the form of a labor ticket" of the type used to record operations performed along a production line. The left and top portions of the document contain indicia representing characters which are to be automatically read to create electrical signals representing input information for data processing apparatus, sorters, or other business machines. In the particular arrangement here illustrated, the indicia which represent certain of the characters also make those characters visibly legible or readable, and more specifically take the form of perforations applied selectively at different stations within rectangular matrix fields to represent various characters. The indicia which represent other characters are illegible, and are in the form of printed or marked indicia.

A first group 21 of characters applied to the labor ticket 20 represents the order number 1586," which is the number of the order for the particular product being made on the production line; the second group 22 of characters represents the item number 543210," signifying the particular item being produced; while the last group 23 of characters represents the quantity I 250 of the particular item signified by the group 22 for the particular order signified by group 21. The three groups 21-23 of numerical characters are visibly legible and can be read for checking purposes at a glance. Moreover, they constitute a permanent application of these numerical characters to the paper ticket, and the data represented by these characters will be the same for all the tickets in a given book or pad. The perforations therefor may be applied on a conventional perforating machine by punching the entire book or pad at one time.

The difi'erent operations to be performed along the production line are represented by characters represented by bar code" indicia in an operation number" code field 24 in the upper left-hand comer of the labor ticket 20. As each operation is completed, the particular operator who is responsible for that particular operation marks his own clock number" in a marked code" field 25. Both the bar code and the marked code will be described in more detail below, but it will be apparent from the illustration in FIG. 1 that both of these codes are illegible, i.e., the characters represented thereby cannot be read or understood by a layman who is not familiar with binary codes. Obviously a person who is familiar with binary codes data represented thereon by the code indicia, and the resulting electric signals are fed into automatic data processing apparatus which performs the necessary computing and recording operations. To facilitate such processing of the ticket 20 by automatic reading apparatus, it is provided with a plurality of sprocket holes 26 arranged with uniform spacing in a row beneath the code fields 2l-23. Each of the holes 26 is located with a predetermined spacing relative to one rectangular field occupied by one numerical character in the readable perforated code. As here shown, each hole 26 is disposed directly below the middle one of three vertical lines of perforations which make up the rectangular field containing the perforations for a given character in the code fields 21- II. The Readable (R) Perforated Code The characters visibly represented by patterns of perforations in the code fields 21-23 in FIG. I are located conventionally within a 3 X 6 station rectangular matrix. As indicated more clearly in FIG. 3, the field area' 27 for receiving perforations to represent any one of a plurality of character's is rectangular in shape and has I8 possible stations (numbered as shown) located at the intersections of three vertical and six horizontal imaginary lines. In addition to the 18 stations thus formed within a given rectangular field, a l9th station is located in the third vertical line (on the right). This latter station is employed for parity checking purposes, and is here identified by the character c. By applying perforations selectively at different ones of the 19 stations (FIG. 3) within a 3 X 6 station matrix, any of the numerical characters -9, or can be visibly represented. FIG. 2 shows the particular stations which receive perforations in order to represent such numerical characters.

In a 3 X 6 station matrix of the type shown in FIG. 3, and with characters visibly represented by the patterns of perfora; tions shown in FIG. 3, and with characters visibly represented by the patterns of perforations shown in FIG. 2, four significant locations exist at stations 6, 8, I0 and 15, which are represented by circles in FIG. 3. For purposes of parity checking, the auxiliary station c is also made a significant loca-f tion. That is, any of the numerical characters 0-9, or contains perforations in a unique combination of perforations in the five significant locations. By identifying the eombina tion of perforations in signif cant locations, the character itself can be identified. The code for this purpose, which will be referred to hereinafter as the read-able" or R perforated code, is made clear by FIG. 2. It willbe seen that the numeral I contains perforations at significantlocations 8 and c, and that none of the other characters of FIG. 2 contains perforations at these, and only these, significant locations. Such significant locations are represented, for clarity, in FIG. 2 by surrounding circles, and it will be understood that such circles are not actually applied to the business documents. In like manner, the character 2 contains perforations at significant locations 6 and c, and none of the other characters contains perforations at this particular combination of significant locations. The remaining combinations of significant locations which receive perforations as the other characters are applied within a field area will be apparent from an inspection of FIG. 2. Since the significant locations for the R code are necessarily in different vertical columns or *Iines" to fonn portions of,

readable characters, the R code is a plural line code. III. Other Types Of Perforated And Printed Codes The readable" (R) code described above and illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 is only one of the many different codes used on documents to be handled on automatic data processing equipment. For example, other perforated codes (referred to hereinafter generically as PF" codes) in current usage are the readable reverse (RR) code, which is readable on the back of the document but which the machine reads in reverse from the face of the document (again a plural-line code), and the in-line (IL) code, which is a simple -level binary code using the same significant locations as the R code, but arranged in a single vertical line. In addition to the various perforated (PF) codes, there are various printed codes (referred to hereinafter generically as PR" codes) in which the indicia are printed or marked on the surface of the document rather than perforated through the document. Examples of PR codes are the "marked" code used in field 25 in FIG. I, in which a preprinted pattern not visible to the machine is overmarked with pencil or pen marks that are visible to the machine to denote one digit in each column, the conventional bar" code used in field 24 in FIG. I, and the 5-level computer printed (CPR) code described in copending application Ser. No. 687,572 entitled "Improved Method Of Encoding Data On Printed Record Media, filed Dec. 4, 1967, US. Pat. No. 3,541,960, and owned by a common assignee. While the present invention will be described in connection with an automatic reading system designed to read the six specific codes I mentioned above, and to be described in more detail below, it will be understood that the invention is equally applicable to other codes, as well as other combinations of codes.

A. The Readable Reverse (RR) Perforated Code. The characters used in the RR code are illustrated by the examples in FIG. 4, from which it can be seen that the RR characters are simply the mirror images of the R characters described above. Consequently, the significant locations of the RR characters are the same as those described previously for the R characters, provided a reverse 3 X 6 rectangular station matrix, as illustrated in FIG. 5, is used. In both, codes, the characters are conventionally spaced 0.3 inch center-to-center, and a space corresponding to one vertical line is provided between adjacent character fields, so the space between adjacent indicia columns within a character field is 0.075 inch center-tocenter. The space between adjacent indicia rows, i.e., the vertical indicia spacing, is also 0.075 inch center-to-center.

B. The In-Line" Perforated Code. In the IL code, the characters are represented by illegible, in-line coded perforations. As shown by the exemplary characters in FIG. 6, each in-line perforation filed consists of a single vertical row of perforation stations which preferably are located at levels 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7, of the readable code matrix. Each of these perforation stations is a significant location, i.e., the presence or absence of perforations in different combinations of m levels (here m==5) of a single line can, according to a predetermined code, represent one of a number of different characters. As shown in FIG. 6, the numerical character I" is represented by perforations at levers 3 and 7 in a given line. The numerical characters 2" or 3 are represented by perforations at levels 2 7 and 2, 3, 5, 7, respectively. The other combinations of perforation locations to represent different numerical characters will be evident from FIG. 6. Plus or minus symbols may also be represented by perforations in the locations shown. Thespacingof the in-line" indicia columns and rows, i.e., both the horizontal and vertical spacing, is 0.075 inch center-to-ce'nter.

It can be seen that the five levels of significant locations in legible R and RR code matrices correspond to the five levels of significant locations ina single-line code field. In other .words, the significant locationsfor both the legible R and RR codes and the illegiblelL code appear in the same five levels, namelyjlevels 2, 3, 4, Sand 7 of the matrices illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5.

C. The Marked" Code. The marked code, which is illustrated in FIG. 7, utilizes a preprinted pattern of readable characters which are not visible to the automatic reading system, but selected characters in the preprinted pattern are overmarked with pen or pencil marks 28 that are visible to the reading system. The vertical spacing of the preprinted digits is conventionally 0. I66 inch centerto-center, while the centerto-center spacing of the columns is 0.3 inch. The vertical lines between adjacentcolumns ofthe preprinted digits indicate the horizontal center distance of the guide dots. When encoding, the pen or pencil mark is simply drawn diagonally through the selected character from one dot to the other, as illustrated in FIGS, 1 and 7. v

D. The Bar" Code. The bar" code, which is illustrated in FIG. 8, is a S-Ievel binary code formed by bars that are conventionally 0.08 inch high and 0.04 inch wide. The vertical spacing is 0.08 inch center-to-center, so that when two bars are marked on adjacent levels, they actually form one solid bar 0.l6 inch high. The horizontal spacing is usually 0.075 inch center-to-center. Each digit is formed by using two levels according to the following table:

E. The Computer Printed" (CPR) Code. The computer printed code, (referred to hereinafter as the CPR" code) which is described in more detail in the copending application referred to above, is a S-Ievel binary code which is printed at the same time that uncoded informational data is printed on the document, by means of a high-speed computer printed for example. The vertical spacing within each column is usually 0.l66 inch center-to-center, the horizontal spacing of the columns is 0.1 inch center-to-center, and each character is 0.1 inch high. All values are formed by printing either two or four characters in a column, according to the following table:

Digits IV. Mechanical Aspects Of An Illustrative Reading System A. The Transporting System And General Arrangement Of The Reading Stations. For automatically reading the characters represented by the code or codes on a number of documents such as the ticket shown in FIG. 1, a plurality or stack of such documents are placed in the supply hopper 31 of a document transport system of the type diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 9. These documents are fed one at a time from the magazine by a starting roller 32 and a feed roller 33 onto a transport having two sets of continuously moving rollers 34a, 34b which advance the documents lengthwise toward a continuously moving transport here shown as a rotating drum 35. As each documents engages the drum 35 and is carried by the latter through an arc, it is held firmly against the drum surface by means of tensioned, flexible, holddown straps 36. As the document is advanced to the lower side of the drum 35, it is engaged by a pair of rollers 37 and carried to a collecting hopper or sorter (not shown).

As each document is held in curved conformity to the surface of the drum 35, the code indicia thereon advance successively past a pair of reading heads 40, 41 each of which contains a plurality of indicia sensing elements, which here take the form of photosensitive elements or photocells. The drum 35 in the illustrative embodiment is formed in two parts 35a and 35b (FIG. 23), both of which are mounted on a common shaft 42 journaled in the machine frame. The two drum parts 35a, 35b are spaced apart in the axial direction so as to provide space for the first reading head (for reading PF codes and thus referred to hereinafter as the PF reading head) mounted within a stationary housing 43 surrounding the shaft 42 (FIGS. I8 and 23). The drum parts 35a, 35b are located relative to the document transporting belts 36 such that the code fields of each documents pass over the space between the two parts 35a, 35b, i.e., directly over the PF reading head 40 mounted in the housing 43.

As a document is transported over the PF reading head 40, the code fields are illuminated by a light source 44 (FIG. 18) adjacent the outer surface thereof so that any perforated indicia on the document transmit light through the document to photoelectric sensing elements in the reading head 40. More particularly, the light source 44 in the form of an elongated lamp mounted parallel to the drum shaft 42 slightly above the PF reading head 40 and adjacent the periphery of the housing 43. A concave reflector plate 45 is mounted above the lamp 44 so that light emanating from the lamp is directed downwardly to a fiat reflector plate 46 mounted at an angle of about 45 to the face of the PF reading head 40. Consequently, the light from the source 44 is reflected off the reflector plate 46 perpendicularly toward the face of the PF reading head 40, as illustrated schematically in FIG. 18. This light is normally blocked from the photoelectric sensing elements within the reading head 40 whenever a document passes between the reflector plate 46 and the reading head, but the perforated indicia in the documents selectively transmit the light through the document to selected photoelectric sensing elements corresponding to the indicia locations. The sensing elements, in turn, produce electrical output signals representing the encoded characters represented by the perforated indicia.

For reading the PR code indicia, the second reading head 41 (referred to hereinafter as the PR reading head) is mounted adjacent the outer surface of the housing 43 (FIG. 18) for cooperation with a second light source 47. Light from the source 47 is passed through a pair of focusing lenses 48, 49 which direct the light onto the outer surface of the code fields of a documents passing between the PR reading head 41 and the surface of the housing 43. This light is normally reflected from the'document surface, except when it strikes the relative- Iy dark areas formed by the PR code indicia. These dark areas are then sensed by the photoelectric sensing elements within the PR reading head 41, which respond by producing electrical output signals representing the encoded characters represented by the indicia printed or marked on the document.

For the purpose of improving the resolution of the light reflected to the various sensing elements in the PR reading head 41, a mask 50 is mounted on the face thereof via mounting bars 51, 52. The mask 50 is provided with apertures corresponding to the locations of the active ends of the photosensitive elements mounted within the reading head 41 to insure that each sensing element is responsive to only one particular indicia location.

B. The Reading Heads and Their Different Operative States. In accordance with the present invention, the two reading heads 40, 41 have a plurality of different operative states for responding to indicia in a number of different PF and PR codes. Thus, the PF reading head includes a first matrix of photoelectric sensing elements for responding to PF code indicia, the PR reading head includes a second matrix of photoelectric sensing elements for responding to PR code indicia, and each of the two matrices has a plurality of different operative states for responding to the respective indicia in different codes.

Turning first to the PF codes, the PF reading head includes a photocell matrix (FIG. 19) which corresponds substantially to a composite of the significant locations in the 3 X 6 matrices for the R and RR codes as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, and the five in-line locations for the IL code indicia as shown in FIG. 6. More particularly, the face of the reading head is formed with openings communicating with the exposed, active ends of nine photocells PC6, PC8, PC9, PC8', PC10, PC12, PC10, PC15, and PO: located at positions corresponding to stations 6, 8, 9, 8', l0, l2, l0, l5, and c, respectively, in the matrices shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. Cell PC6 is located at level 2, cells PCB, PC9 and PCS are located at level 3, cells PClO, PClZ and PCIO' are located at level 4, cell PC 15 is located at level 5, and cell PCc is located at level 7, with adjacent cells being spaced both horizontally and vertically by 0.075 inch center-to-center. Consequently, if a perforation field for a PF coded character in a document is placed in registry with the matrix field on the face of the PF reading head, then those particular photosensitive elements disposed at significant locations where perforations exist will receive light from the reflector 46 and will be correspondingly activated.

To read the three species of PF codes (R, RR and IL), particular combinations of the photocells in the PF reading head are enabled according to the significant locations of the indicia for the various codes. Thus, to read the RR code, cells PC6, PC8, PCIO, PCI and PCs are enabled. Similarly, to read the R code, cells PC6, PCB, PC', PC15, and PCc are enabled. And, finally, to read the IL code, cells PC6, PC9,

' document, but are simply masked from the light from lamp 44 and reflector 46 whenever a document is passing in front of the reading head.

In order to determine precisely those instants at which each perforation field is in registry with the photosensitive elements which are to detect the presence or absence of perforations at different stations, two synchronizing photocells PCR and PCR (FIG. 19) are also included in the PF reading head. Both of the cells PCR and PCRR are located so as to be aligned with the sprocket holes 26 of the document passing thereover. Since the sprocket holes 26 are spaced apart by the same distances as the individual R or RR code character fields, and are aligned with the centers of those fields, the synchronizing cells PCR and PCRR are activated only when one of the character fields is in registry with the photosensitive elements in the R or RR code reading matrix. In the illustrative reading head, the synchronizing cells PCR and PCR are slightly ofi'set from the centers of the respective matrices of photocells for reading the R code and the RR code, respectively, so as to produce signals in response to the passage of the trailing edge of each sprocket hole 26 thereover, for reasons to be discussed in more detail below. It can be seen that if the status or condition (lighted or unlighted) of a certain combination of the photosensitive elements within the PF reading head is determined at those instants when the trailing edge of a sprocket hole passes over one of the synchronizing cells PCR or PCRR, the combination of perforations in the significant locations of a code character will be sensed.

For the purpose of tracking the progressive movement of each document around the drum 35, so that the particular portion of the document present at the reading head is known at all times, a sprocket counting photocell PCS (FIG. 19) is also included in the reading head. As in the case of the synchronizing photocells PCR and PCRR, the sprocket counting cell PCS is located so as to be in precise alignment with the sprocket holes 26 of the document passing over the reading head. Consequently, the cell PCS produces an output signal each time a sprocket hole 26 passes thereover, and these output signals are counted to keep track of the progress of the document passing over the reading head in terms of the number of sprocket spaces counted from the leading edge of the document, as will be described in more detail below.

Turning now to the PR codes, the face of the PR reading head 41 (FIGS. -22) contains a single line of photoelectric sensing elements PCLl-PCLll arranged along an axis extending transversely to thc direction of movement of the indiciabearing document, and corresponding to l l significant locations of the indicia in the bar code (FIG. 8), the marked code (FIG. 7), and the CPR code described previously. The first five cells PCLI-PCLS are located at approximately the same locations as the five indicia locations of the bar code, i.e., the cell PCLI is 0.174 inch from the top edge of the document being read, and adjacent cells are spaced apart by about 0.08 inch center-to-center. As can be seen in FIG. 17, which is a chart showing the dimensional relationships of the various indicia of the bar code, the marked code, and the CPR code, and the corresponding photocells PCLl-PCLll, the second and fourth indicia locations in the bar code are approximately the same as the first and second indicia locations in the CPR code. Moreover, the first indicia location in the marked code is the same as the second indicia location in the CPR code and, therefore, approximately the same as the fourth indicia location in the bar code. Consequently, cell PCLZ can be used to read both the indicia in the bar code and the first indicia in the CPR code, and cell PCL4 can'be used to read the fourth indicia in the bar code, the second indicia in the CPR code, and the second indicia in' the marked code, as graphically illustrated in FIG. 17.

In order to position the shared photocell PCL4 midway between the precise locations of the level-4 indicia in the bar code and the level-2 indicia for the CPR and marked codes, cell PCL4 is spaced from cell PCL3 by only 0.078 inch rather than the conventional bar code spacing of 0.08 inch.

As can be seen from the chart in FIG. 17, the spacing of the indicia for the marked code is the same as that for the CPR code, namely 0.l66 inch center-to-center. Consequently, the same cells which are to sense the indicia of the CPR code will also sense the indicia of the marked code. The only difference is that the indicia for the CPR code may appear on any five of eleven printing lines, while the marked code indicia always appear on the same ID lines. The preprinted digit zero in the preprinted pattern for the marked code, normally appears on the third printing line from the top of the document, while the second through the l2th printing lines are utilized for the CPR code. Thus, it can be seen that cells PCL2, PCIA, and PCL6 through PCL14 are used to read the CPR code indicia, while cells PCL4 and PCL6 through PCLI4 are used to read the marked code indicia.

V. Programming and Control System A. In General. In keeping with the present invention, an automatic control system is operatively connected to the dual reading heads for automatically actuating the reading heads in selected operative states for reading different codes in selected prescribed fields on the record media transported past the reading heads. Thus, in the illustrative reading system illustrated in FIGS. 10-16, a few simple connections on a program panel adapted to be inserted into the reading system, condition the reading system to automatically read difi'erent selected codes in different selected fields in different document formats; a first connection on the program panel automatically selects the particular cells needed to read the selected code, while other connections on the same panel select the particular fields, in which the selected code is to be read. For example, the program panel illustrated in FIG. 10 may be used to select any of the six PF and PR codes described previously, and the particular fields in which each selected code is to be read. As another feature of the invention, the reading system may be programmed to read any of four different document formats by use of a single program panel. Thus, after one such program panel has been inserted into the machine, the selection of a particular document format, which may be done either automatically or manually, automatically conditions the system to read a selected one of the four document fonnats for which the machine has been programmed. In the illustrative system. the operator manually selects a particular document format by simply pressing one of four document selector buttons DSl-DS4, conveniently located on the control panel (not shown). Alternatively, the

record media could be provided with prefix indicia to automatically signal that a selected document format is to be read, thereby automatically conditioning the system to read the programmed codes for that particular format.

Referring now to the exemplary program panel in FlG. 10,

the operation of the illustrative system can be most easily unv derstood by reference to particular examples. To further facilitate an understanding of the illustrative system, the various terminals on the exemplary program panel will be identified by the column numbers I through 22 and the row letters A through T marked around the periphery of the panel. Thus, A,l will designate the first terminal in row A; A-B, l- 2 will designate the cluster of four terminals comprising the first two terminals (columns 1 and 2) in each of the two rows A and B; E-G, 20-22 will designate the cluster of nine terminals comprising the last three tenninals (columns 20, 21, and 22) ofeach of rows E, F, and G; and so on.

8. Programming and Reading PF Codes-FIGS. l and 11. Assuming for the moment that the first document for which the machine is to be programmed has only PF codes to be read, one of the interconnected terminals EG, 21, representing the first document to be programmed on this particular panel, is connected to one of the interconnected terminals IL, 22, representing the PF codes generically. Referring to FIG. 11, this connection causes a PF signal to be supplied from a PF signal source SGI to a gate GPF whenever the first document selector button DSl on the control panel CPI is depressed, thereby opening the gate GPF to pass signals from the sprocket counting photocell PCS to a counter CNl. As mentioned previously, the sprocket counting photocell PCS is in alignment with the document sprocket counting photocell PCS to a counter CNI. As mentioned previously, the sprocket counting photocell PCS is in alignment with the document sprocket holes 26 so that output signals from the photocell PCS are produced in response to the passage of the sprocket holes 26 thereover as the document progresses around the surface of the drum 35. These signals are counted by the counter CNl so as to track the progress of the document around the drum surface by increments corresponding to the spacing between the sprocket holes 26, which in turn correspond to the spacing of the PF characters (0.3 inch center-to-center in the example given previously). Accordingly, at any given time the machine knows the exact position of the document on the drum surface, in terms of the number of sprocket holes which have passed over the sprocket counting photocell PCS.

In order to select the first field in which the PF code is to be read, units" and tens tenninals I.I, 1, representing the start of the first field on the first document, and units" and tens" terminals Kl.., 1, representing the end of the first field on the first document, are connected to selected ones of terminals M-O, l20, representing the number of sprocket holes counted by the counter CNl. In other words, the beginning and end of the field to be read are defined in terms of the number of sprocket holes or spaces from the leading edge of the document so that the counter output can be used to locate the two limits of the field as the document progresses around the drum. For example, if the first field on the first document is to begin one sprocket space from the leading edge of the document, and end nine spaces from the leading edge, the units terminals I, l for the start of the first field on the first document is connected to terminal M, 2, representing a units count of l, and the corresponding tens" terminal J, l is connected to terminal M, 1] representing a tens count of 0. Similarly, the units" terminal K, 1 for the end of the selected field is connected to the terminal M, 10, representing a units count of 9, while the corresponding tens" terminal L, 1 is connected to tenninal N, ll, representing a tens count of 0. These connections program the machine to automatically actuate the reading head between sprocket holes 1 and 9 as counted by the counter in response to signals from the sprocketing photocell PCS.

Although it is necessary to have one sprocket hole 26 for each PF character to be read, it will be appreciated that the sprocket holes need not continue along the entire length of the document, since they are not used to transport the document. In the labor ticket illustrated in FIG. I, for example, the sprocket holes 26 are coextensive with only the PF code fields 2l-23, and do not extend through the PR code fields 24 and 25.

Returning to FIG. I1, the field definition connections on the program panel cause selected output signals from the counter CNl to be applied to one of a plurality of switching networks SNl through 5N4 corresponding to four documents programmed on any given panel. In the particular example given above, the defined field was for the first document, so the described program panel connections would couple the selected counter outputs to the first switching network SNI. Whenever the first document selector button DS] is depressed, switching network SNl is enabled so as to condition the reading head to read the particular field or fields selected for the first document.

The connections described thus far program the machine to read a PF code in a first prescribed field on a first document. But it will be recalled that the illustrative machine is designed to read any of three different PF codes, namely R, RR, and IL, and thus it is necessary to condition the reading head to read only the particular species of PF code to be used in the prescribed field. For this purpose, one of the three PF terminals F, l7-l9, representing the specific codes R, RR, and IL, respectively, is connected to a field 1, document I exit terminal 1, 17. For example, if the species of PF code to be read in field 1, document 1 is the R code, the R terminal F, 17 is connected to the field exit terminal I, 17. Referring to FIG. 11, this connection would cause the switching network SNl to be coupled to an R gate, thereby opening the R gate in the interval between the counter output signals selected to define the first field. The opening of the R gate permits only the R code matrix of reading cells in the reading head to be enabled during the field 1 reading interval. More particularly, the R gate permits only photocells PC6, PC8, PC 10, PC15, and PCc to be enabled, since these are the five cells corresponding to the five significant positions of the R code indicia. As described previously, cells PC6, PC15, and PCs are common to all the PF codes, and thus these three cells are enabled whenever any of the three PF codes R, RR, or IL is selected. When the R code is selected, as in the example given above, cells PCS and PC 10 are also enabled to complete the reading matrix.

In order to detect and signal when each individual character field within the selected R code field is in full registry with the enabled matrix of photocells for reading the R code, the synchronizing photocell PCR is included in the reading head in alignment with the sprocket holes 26 of the document, As mentioned previously, the cell PCR in the illustrative reading head, is offset from the center line of the R code matrix by a distance equal to the radius of one sprocket hole, and the output signal utilized from the cell PCR is that produced at the trailing edge of the sprocket hole, which is usually sharper than the leading edge of the same hole. As illustrated schematically in FIG. 11, the output signals produced by the sprocket synchronizing cell PCR are passed through the R gate, which was previously opened by the output from switching network SNI to enable the R matrix of reading cells PC6, PCS, PC10, PC15 and PCs just as each individual character field advances past the reading matrix, the reading matrix is disabled until the next sprocket hole 26 arrives at the cell PCR. Thus, it can be seen that the signals from the switching network SNl determine the particular sprocket spaces between which the fields are to be read, while the signals from the sprocket synchronizing cell PCR determine the precise reading time for each character within the defined field.

While the reading cells in the selected code matrix are enabled, they produce a combination of output signals cor- 

1. A data processing system for automatically reading characters represented by indicia in prescribed fields on record media in any of a plurality of different codes, said system comprising the combination of reading means for producing output signals representing said characters in response to the indicia representing said characters, said reading means including at least one matrix of sensing elements and code selection means for rendering said sensing elements operative and inoperative in different combinations so as to provide said matrix with a plurality of different operative states for responding to said indicia in different codes, means for advancing the indicia for successive characters relatively past said reading means, means responsive to predetermined increments of advancing movement of said record media for continuously tracking the progress of the advancement of said record media relatively past said reading means, and automatic control means operatively connected to said reading means and said tracking means and including means responsive to said tracking means for automatically actuating said reading means at a prescribed first limit of a preselected field on the record media and automatically deactuating said reading means at a prescribed second limit of said preselected field, said automatic control means also including means responsive to said tracking means for rendering only a prescribed combination of said sensing elements operative during the interval when said reading means is actuated whereby said reading means is actuated in a selected operative state to read a corresponding selected code in said preselected field.
 2. A data processing system as defined in claim 1 wherein said reading means has a first matrix of sensing elements having a first series of different operative states for responding to said indicia in different perforated codes, and a second matrix of sensing elements having a second series of different operative states for responding to said indicia in different printed or marked codes.
 3. A data processing system as defined in claim 1 wherein said automatic control means includes means for actuating said reading means to automatically read the indicia in fields prescribed by limits both in the direction of movement of said indicia relative to said reading means and in the direction transverse to such movement.
 4. A data processing system as defined in claim 1 wherein said matrix of sensing elements in said reading means includes a plurality of photoelectric sensing elements spaced along an axis extending transversely to the direction of movement of said indicia relative to said reading means, and said automatic control means includes means for automatically actuating selected combinations of said sensing elements when said reading means is actuated to read the indicia in certain prescribed fields.
 5. A data processing system as defined in claim 1 wherein said reading means includes a first matrix of photoelectric sensing elements for responding to perforated indicia and a second matrix of photoelectric sensing elements for responding to printed or marked indicia, each of said first and second matrices having a plurality of different operative states for responding to the respective indicia in different codes, and said automatic control means also includes means for automatically selecting one of said first and second matrices and a prescribed operative state for the selected matrix in response to the actuation of said reading means by said tracking means to read the indicia in a prescribed field.
 6. A data processing system as defined in claim 1 wherein said automatic control means also includes record format selection means operatively connected to said tracking means for automatically selecting different prescribed first and second limits for different record formats whereby said reading means is automatically actuated to read the code indicia in different preselected fields for different record formats.
 7. A data processing system for automatically reading characters represented by indicia in prescribed fields on record media in any of a plurality of different codes, said system comprising the combination of reading means for producing output signals representing said characters in response to the indicia representing said characters, said reading means including at least one matrix of sensing elements and code selection means for rendering said sensing elements operative and inoperative in different combinations so as to provide said matrix with a plurality of different operative states for responding to said indicia in different codes, means for advancing the record media relatively past said reading means, means responsive to predetermined increments of advancing movement of said record media for continuously tracking the progress of the advancement of said record media relatively past said reading means, and automatic control means operatively connected to said reading means and said tracking means and including means responsive to said tracking means for automatically actuating said reading means at a prescribed first limit of a preselected field on the record media and automatically deactuating said reading means at a prescribed second limit of said preselected field, said automatic control means also including means responsive to said tracking means for rendering only a prescribed combination of said sensing elements operative during the interval when said reading means is situated whereby said reading means is actuated in a selected operative state to read a corresponding selected code in said preselected field, and programming means operatively connected to said automatic control means for preselecting said reading means is actuated, and for preselecting said prescribed combination of sensing elements which are rendered operative for each preselected field, said automatic control means being responsive to both said tracking means and said programming means.
 8. A data processing system as defined in claim 7 wherein said programming means also includes field programming means for preselecting said prescribed first and second limits for selected record formats.
 9. A data processing system for automatically reading characters represented by indicia in prescribed fields on record media in any of a plurality of different codes, said system comprising the combination of reading means for producing output signals representing said characters in response to the indicia representing said characters, said reading means including a first matrix of sensing elements having a first series of different operative states for responding to said indicia in different perforated codes, and a second matrix of sensing elements having a second series of different operative states for responding to said indicia in different printed or marked codes, means for advancing the indicia for successive characters relatively past said reading means, means responsive to predetermined increments of advancing movement of said record media for continuously tracking the progress of the advancement of said record media relatively past said reading means, and automatic control means operatively connected to said reading means and said tracking means and including means responsive to said tracking means for automatically actuating said reading means at a prescribed first limit of a preselected field on the record media and automatically deactuating said reading means at a prescribed second limit of said preselected field, said automatic control means also including means responsive to said tracking means for rendering only a preScribed combination of said sensing elements operative during the interval when said reading means is actuated whereby said reading means is actuated in a selected operative state to read a corresponding selected code in said preselected field, and record format selection means operatively connected to said tracking means for automatically selecting different prescribed first and second limits for different record formats whereby said reading means is automatically actuated to read the code indicia in different preselected fields for different record formats. 10 A data processing system as defined in claim 9 wherein said reading means includes a first matrix of photoelectric sensing elements for responding to perforated indicia and a second matrix of photoelectric sensing elements for responding to printed or marked indicia, each of said first and second matrices having a plurality of different operative states for responding to the respective indicia in different codes.
 11. A data processing system as defined in claim 9 which includes programming means operatively connected to the automatic control means for preselecting said prescribed first and second limits of the preselected field in which said reading means is actuated, and for preselecting said prescribed combination of sensing elements which are rendered operative for each preselected field, said automatic control means being responsive to both said tracking means and said programming means.
 12. A data processing method for reading characters represented by indicia in prescribed fields on record media in any of a plurality of different codes, said method comprising the steps of providing a reading station for producing output signals representing said characters in response to the indicia representing such characters, said reading station including at least one matrix of sensing elements and code selection means for rendering said sensing elements operative and inoperative in different combinations so as to provide said matrix with a plurality of different operative states for responding to said indicia in different codes, advancing the indicia for successive characters relatively past said reading station, continuously tracking the advancement of said record media relatively past said reading station in response to predetermined increments of advancing movement of said record media and producing tracking signals representing the progress of said record media, actuating said reading station in response to said tracking signals at a prescribed first limit of a preselected field on the record media and deactuating said reading station in response to said tracking signals at a prescribed second limit of said preselected field, and rendering only a prescribed combination of said sensing elements operative during the interval when said reading means is actuated in a selected operative state to read a corresponding selected code in said preselected field.
 13. A data processing method for reading characters represented by indicia in prescribed fields on record media in any of a plurality of different codes, said method comprising the steps of providing a reading station for producing output signals representing said characters in response to the indicia representing such characters, said reading station including at least one matrix of sensing elements and code selection means for rendering said sensing elements operative and inoperative in different combinations so as to provide said matrix with a first series of different operative states for responding to said indicia in different perforated codes, and a second series of different operative states for responding to said indicia in different printed or marked codes, continuously tracking the advancement of said record media relatively past said reading station in response to predetermined increments of advancing movement of said record media and producing tracking signals representing the progress of said record media, actuating said reading station in responsE to said tracking signals at a prescribed first limit of a preselected field on the record media and deactuating said reading station in response to said tracking signals at a prescribed second limit of said preselected field, and rendering only a prescribed combination of said sensing elements operative during the interval when said reading station is actuated so that the reading station is actuated in a selected operative state to read a corresponding selected code in said preselected field.
 14. A data processing method for reading characters represented by indicia in prescribed fields on record media in any of a plurality of different codes, said method comprising the steps of providing a reading station for producing output signals representing said characters in response to the indicia representing such characters, said reading station including at least one matrix of sensing elements and code selection means for rendering said sensing elements operative and inoperative in different combinations so as to provide said matrix with a plurality of different operative states for responding to said indicia in different codes, programming said reading station to preselect prescribed first and second limits of a preselected field in which the reading station is to be actuated, and to preselect a prescribed combination of sensing elements to be rendered operative for each preselected field, advancing the indicia for successive characters relatively past said reading station, and continuously tracking the advancement of said record media relatively past said reading station in response to predetermined increments of advancing movement of said record media and producing tracking signals representing the progress of said record media, actuating said reading station in response to said tracking signals at the prescribed first limit of the preselected field on the record media and deactuating said reading station in response to said tracking signals at the prescribed second limit of said preselected fields, and rendering only the prescribed combination of said sensing elements operative during the interval when said reading station is actuated so that the reading station is actuated in a selected operative state to read a corresponding selected code in said preselected field.
 15. A data processing method as set forth in claim 14 wherein said reading station is also programmed to preselect different prescribed first and second limits for different record formats so that the reading station is automatically actuated to read the code indicia in different preselected fields for different record formats. 